When Orioles reliever Adam Plutko introduced himself to his new club after the spring trade from Cleveland with a run of scoreless innings and a wistful declaration that they’d go 162-0 this year, both his mound presence and mindset were viewed as positive additions to an inexperienced pitching staff.
All the losses piling up — five in a row and 12 of 14, with Saturday’s 12-9 defeat coming as Plutko allowed four runs to cough up a lead before he recorded an out — haven’t done much to dim his outlook as evidence to the contrary mounts.
“Obviously, I know what my line was and I know what my first inning was, but what’s the point of beating up myself on that?